Dreams Sometimes Do Come True
Working at Meta was more than just a job—it was an adventure. From the vibrant culture to the lifelong friendships I formed, my time at Meta was filled with unforgettable experiences and invaluable lessons—both good and bad. In this article, I share about my experience during what I consider my golden years at Meta.
The Magic of Meta’s Culture
When I joined Meta, I was immediately struck by the energy and excitement that permeated the Menlo Park campus. From the campus bikes and shuttle services that were free to ride across campus, to all of the exciting unreleased prototype devices that we were testing for Oculus and Portal (anyone still use these like me?), and even Zuck’s weekly all-hands meetings where we, as FTE employees had the chance to ask him anything (and I mean ANYTHING—nothing was off limits, and some brave souls would ask him some of the toughest and spiciest questions), there was a different kind of energy that I felt every time I came to work.
Unlike my previous roles in consulting, where relationships were often strictly professional and transactional, Meta fostered a sense of camaraderie and collaboration that was truly unique. This was especially true among the individual contributors (ICs), who shared a bond rooted in mutual respect and a passion for innovation.
Being at the forefront of AR/VR technology was exhilarating. I remember the thrill of product launches and seeing high-profile athletes, celebrities, and influencers test out our latest prototypes. It was surreal to chat with them about their experiences and gather feedback that would shape the future of immersive technology. These moments reminded me why I loved working in tech—the opportunity to create products that could change the way people interact with the world.
Lessons Learned: Politics and Self-Advocacy
Of course, no workplace is perfect, and Meta had its share of challenges. The company’s intense focus on “impact” often led to political maneuvering and credit-stealing. There was a lot of territory grabbing and ego-driven dynamics at the leadership level, which required me, as a PM to navigate with precision and tact. Ensuring the timely success of my initiatives and product feature launches demanded a delicate balance—advocating for me and my team’s work without overstepping those invisible boundaries…too much.
Even when it came to successful launches that I spearheaded and launched, I had to remain vigilant. After being blindsided in the past with a colleague who took credit for my work, I quickly came to understand that thriving at Meta required me to be vocal and assertively highlight my contributions, especially during the dreaded Performance Summary Cycle (PSC), where visibility and self-advocacy were paramount.
This certainly did not come naturally to me as a first generation immigrant child, where we were always taught to downplay our achievements and stay rooted in humility. At Meta, I had to learn to advocate for myself and my team for all of the outstanding achievements throughout the year, which proved to be essential for career growth.
I remember a project where I led a large number of cross-functional PM’s to deliver a major product with high visibility across the company. Despite the success, I initially downplayed my role in the outcome. It wasn’t until my manager encouraged me to highlight my contributions during the performance review that I realized the importance of owning my impact. This lesson has stayed with me throughout my career.
If you’re considering a career at Meta or another tech giant, I highly recommend reading a couple of books that helped me through the process. This book focuses on the fundamental concepts of Product Management and this book can help you prepare for your product management interviews.
The Golden Handcuffs: Perks That Made Life Sweet
Meta’s perks were out of this world. When friends would come visit me at work, they always mentioned that they felt like they had entered a corporate wonderland. Here are some of the incredible benefits I enjoyed:
- Arcades & Gaming Rooms: Need a break? Meta’s campus had full arcades and gaming lounges where I could unwind with colleagues.
- State-of-the-Art Gyms: With multiple gym facilities on campus, staying fit was easy and convenient—I would wake up at 5am, take the shuttle to campus from my home and go straight to the gym before starting my work day.
- Generous Baby Fund Bonus: When I became a parent, Meta provided a significant financial bonus to support the newest member of my family.
- First to Go Remote: During the pandemic, I was one of the first selected and approved for full time remote work, allowing me and my family to relocate to a beautiful home in Southern California.
- Free Food & Luxurious Amenities: Meta’s chefs cooked restaurant-quality meals daily, and the on-campus perks made it feel like an elite club. These meals were extraordinary.
- Total Compensation: The combination of a sign-on bonus, base salary, equity vesting over four years (RSUs), performance-based annual bonuses, and stock refreshers made the financial rewards hard to beat.
These perks created a sense of golden handcuffs—comfortable enough to make leaving feel almost impossible. But beyond the material benefits, they contributed to a culture of care and appreciation that made employees feel valued.
Lessons Learned: Politics and Self-Advocacy
Of course, no workplace is perfect, and Meta had its share of challenges. The company’s intense focus on “impact” often led to political maneuvering and credit-stealing. There was a lot of territory grabbing and ego-driven dynamics at the leadership level, which required me, as a PM to navigate with precision and tact. Ensuring the timely success of my initiatives and product feature launches demanded a delicate balance—advocating for me and my team’s work without overstepping those invisible boundaries…too much.
Even when it came to successful launches that I spearheaded and launched, I had to remain vigilant. After being blindsided in the past with a colleague who took credit for my work, I quickly came to understand that thriving at Meta required me to be vocal and assertively highlight my contributions, especially during the dreaded Performance Summary Cycle (PSC), where visibility and self-advocacy were paramount.
This certainly did not come naturally to me as a first generation immigrant child, where we were always taught to downplay our achievements and stay rooted in humility. At Meta, I had to learn to advocate for myself and my team for all of the outstanding achievements throughout the year, which proved to be essential for career growth.
I remember a project where I led a large number of cross-functional PM’s to deliver a major product with high visibility across the company. Despite the success, I initially downplayed my role in the outcome. It wasn’t until my manager encouraged me to highlight my contributions during the performance review that I realized the importance of owning my impact. This lesson has stayed with me throughout my career.
